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Melissa Barrera was reportedly fired from Scream VII due to her Instagram posts about the Israel-Hamas war.
The 33-year-old Mexican actor joined the iconic slasher franchise in 2022, leading the fifth and sixth films alongside Jenna Ortega.
On Tuesday (November 21), sources confirmed to Deadline and Variety that Barrera has been dropped from Spyglass Media’s upcoming sequel due to what were perceived as anti-Semitic posts.
In a social media post, In the Heights Breakout wrote: “Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp.
“Everyone cornered together, nowhere to go, no electricity, no water… People have learned nothing from our history. And just like in our history, people are still silently watching everything happen. This is genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
Variety’s source suggests that Barrera was fired in particular for a post that “spread the anti-Semitic claim that Jews control the media.” She wrote in an Instagram story: “Western media only shows this [Israeli] Page. I’ll let you explain why they do that.”
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Spyglass referred The Independent to its statement to Variety, which said: “Spyglass’ position is clear: we have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism or incitement to hatred in any form, including “False references to genocide or ethnicity.” Purges, Holocaust distortions, or anything that blatantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
Representatives for Barrera did not immediately respond to the Independent’s request for comment.
In another post, Barrera said: “If we are all aware of what is happening (and has happened) in Gaza and see it for what it is, it is very important to also understand: Just like all Palestinians NOT Hamas, but all Jews are.” The people are NOT the Israeli government.
“Don’t blame or hate an entire group of people because of what some do,” the actor added. “I stand by everyone who gets caught in the crossfire. I pray for freedom and peace for you and your families.”
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Although no casting confirmations have been announced, Barrera was expected to reprise her role as Sam Carpenter, the older sister of Tara Carpenter (played by Ortega) in Scream 7.
The news comes as it was reported that Susan Sarandon was fired from her talent agency UTA over her comments at a pro-Palestine rally in New York City on November 17th.
“There are many people who are afraid, who are afraid of being Jewish at this time, and who are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country that is so often subject to violence,” The Thelma and Louise actor, 77, reportedly said.